THERE’S no better time to book a stress-free trip to Amsterdam.

Set in beautiful, well-established gardens dotted with elegant 19th century buildings, this has to be Europe’s prettiest zoo.

At The Artis Zoo Museum there are more than 300 species of trees providing oxygen and a natural habitat for the 750 different varieties of animals including giraffes, zebras and gazelles, to name a few.

The new Micropia museum provides a fascinating insight into everything microscopic, studying microbes vital to life on Earth. From £56 (two sharing) including coach transfers and zoo entry.

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More than a million visitors each year head to the incredible bulbfields at Keukenhof’s landscaped gardens. As far as the eye can see there are tulips, seven million of them, featuring more than 800 varieties.

These are best explored by strolling along the wide paths which weave through lawns and woods.

Features include a Mondrian art mosaic and daily flower arranging demonstrations. From £114 (two sharing) including coach transfers and entrance to gardens.

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Tulips in the Keukenhof’s landscaped gardens

MORE BEER

Visiting Amsterdam and not making a pilgrimage to the famous Heineken brewery is like going to Dublin and not exploring the Guinness factory.

Discover what goes into producing one of those distinctive green bottles of beer.

The classic factory still has its original features such as the vast brass beer tanks and fixtures.

Through computerised simulation, the Heineken Experience takes you through the factory as a beer bottle; from the brewing to the bottling process.

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The famous Heineken brewery

CRUISE FOR LOVERS

Lovers tours are offering an array of cruising on Amsterdam’s glorious canals.

Viewing the city from the water offers an entirely different perspective.

You’ll pass houseboats which are home to a menagerie of pets as well as floating gardens.

You’ll cruise past super narrow Dutch Canal houses with their hooks mounted on their facades to winch up furniture to the upper levels and sail under low, sweeping bridges whose railings are adorned with classic black Dutch bikes.

The Newcastle-Amsterdam cruise ferries are equipped with four restaurants including the Explorers’ Steakhouse, an all-you-can-eat world-food buffet in the 7 Seas, the Blue Riband à la carte restaurant and “Little Italy”, a pasta and pizza restaurant.

There are also a number of cafes and bars, as well as live music from a house band. Other on board facilities include a shop, a casino, a cinema and a kids club.